ORIGINAL RESEARCH
Impacts of Ion Adsorption Type Rare Earth Mining
Techniques on Topsoil in Mining Area
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1
School of History and Geography, Minan Normal University, Zhangzhou 363000, China
2
State Key Laboratory for Subtropical Mountain Ecology of the Ministry of Science and Technology
and Fujian Province, Fujian Normal University, Fuzhou 350007, Fujian, China
3
School of Geographical Sciences, Fujian Normal University, Fuzhou 350007, Fujian, China
4
Department of Dendrology and Floriculture, Institute of Landscape Architecture, Urban Planning
and Ornamental Gardening, Hungarian University of Agriculture and Life Sciences,
Villanyi ut, 29-43, 1118 Budapest, Hungary
Submission date: 2023-09-05
Final revision date: 2023-10-05
Acceptance date: 2023-10-24
Online publication date: 2024-01-03
Publication date: 2024-02-09
Corresponding author
Haibin Chen
School of History and Geography, Minan Normal University, China
Pol. J. Environ. Stud. 2024;33(2):1585-1594
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ABSTRACT
Rare earth elements (REE) are essential components in various modern technologies. Mining
activities, in contrast, severely destabilize the adjacent ecological systems. The soil transformation
environmental issue in mining areas is inextricably linked to process techniques. Inconsistencies
in harm and serviceability arise from different mining techniques. This study was conducted in Fujian,
China, which has abundance of ion adsorption type rare earth resources (IAT-Res). We investigated
the soil interaction effects of two mining techniques (heap leaching and in-situ leaching). After eight
years of restoration, soil destruction and nutrient imbalance remain significant in the heap leaching
mining regions. The effects of heap leaching are distinct, whereas pollution caused by in-situ leaching is
hidden. Although the in-situ leaching technique resulted in less soil erosion, its potential environmental
risk cannot be ignored. The greater number of (NH4)2SO4 leachate residues left over after in-situ
leaching contaminate the surrounding ecosystem as they are easily translocated. Through this study,
we demonstrate the ecological impacts of different mining techniques in mining areas. As a result,
to obtain accurate protection and contaminant control management. However, additional interests
should address the leachate and REE pollution caused by in-situ leaching in a larger region.